Jane R. Newman of Longboat Key, Fla. died July 5 after a brief illness. She was 89 and enjoying her 51st year as a summer resident of the Island, having first visited with her late husband, Robert W. Newman, on their honeymoon 65 years ago last month.

She graduated from Connecticut College as an English major, read voraciously and engaged in Words With Friends right up until suddenly being incapacitated. Very few “friends” beat her. (They know who they are.) She loved her summers on Oyster Pond and the timeless beauty of Island life. She made contributions, in many ways, to preserve it.

In addition to her sister, Hope Einstein of Stamford, Conn., Jane leaves three children, Cathy Newman of Middleboro, William Newman and his wife Nancy and George Newman and his wife Lynn, all of West Hartford, Conn.; and four grandchildren, Caroline Newman of New York city; Claire Conroy of South Windsor, Conn., Jack Newman of Apollo Beach, Fla.; and Lillian Newman of Waltham. She also leaves one great-grandchild and dearly anticipated holding the three arriving next winter. She also leaves Adam Smith, whom she loved as her own.

The family wishes to express its professional and personal gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey Zack and his family for the exceptional care, respect and compassion with which they attended Jane for over a decade and through her final hours. Even as an old-school English major, Jane could never have articulated the love and comfort she was shown at a time in life when it is most cherished. Contributions can be made to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.